Inhibitory effect of Curcumin on iNOS expression in BV microglia cells activated by LPS

Objective: To explore the inhibitory effect of curcumin on the production of NO and iNOS expression in microglia cell activated by LPS.Methods: Microglia cell were treated with lipopolysaccharide(200 ng/ml)in presence or absence of various concentration of curcumin,the cytotoxicity of curcumin was measured by MTT,the production of NO was determined with nitrate reductase,iNOS expression was detected with western-blot and immunocytochemical stain. Results: There was no effect on cell survival with the various concentration of curcumin(2.5~20 μmol/L);the production of NO and iNOS expression was induced markedly by LPS(200 ng/ml) after 24 h;the production of NO and iNOS expression was decreased by curcumin(10 μmol/L) significantly in activated microglia cells. Conclusion: Curcumin could decrease the iNOS expression and suppress the production of NO in activated microglia cells.